Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has backed Smriti Mandhana to take Indian women’s cricket forward, saying she is confident the team is in safe hands after she stepped down from captaincy across formats.
Harmanpreet, who led India since 2012, said her decision to hand over the captaincy was driven by her desire to enjoy the game more, focus on her own cricket and spend more time with family and friends. She stressed that the move was not prompted by any single tournament or result.
Speaking to IANS, Harmanpreet said she was particularly happy that Mandhana, her long-time teammate, would take over the leadership role.
“We have shared the same table, made decisions together and seen Indian cricket evolve, so I know that understanding will continue to be valuable,” Harmanpreet said.
The 37-year-old, who led India to their maiden ODI World Cup title, said she has no regrets about her captaincy journey and feels satisfied with what the team achieved during her tenure.
Harmanpreet said stepping away would allow her to approach her cricket with greater clarity and enjoyment, while continuing to contribute through her experience and mentorship.
“The journey looks no different to me as a cricketer, except that my role as captain has changed,” she said, adding that her leadership instincts would remain part of her game.
She also expressed confidence in the current Indian squad, pointing to the talent, hunger and experience within the group as reasons for optimism about the team’s future.
Harmanpreet said she remains hungry for more success with India and is ready to contribute in whatever role the team requires. She also indicated that she could bowl more regularly if needed.
“If the team needs me with the ball, I will always be ready to contribute,” she said.
For Harmanpreet, passing on the captaincy is not an ending but the beginning of another phase of her career – one in which she hopes to enjoy her cricket while continuing to help India win more trophies.